Stapler

ABSTRACT

A stapler having a cantilevered gripping handle and a slidable loading cartridge.

finite States atent I 1 LaPointe et a1.

STAPLER Inventors: Gabriel M. Lalointe, Worcester;

John S. Vecchione, Sturbridge, both of Mass.

Parker Manufacturing Co., Worcester, Mass.

Filedr Aug. 27, 1973 App]. No.: 391,777

Assignee:

US. Cl 227/127, 227/120, 227/132 Int. Cl. .L B25c 5/06 Field of Search227/120, 121 122, 123,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1938 Spencer 227/132 1 1 Jan.28, 1975 Primary Brunxiwr-Grunvillc Y. Custer, .Ir. Allurm'y. Agt'm, orFirm-Nurman S. Blodgclt; (jcrry A. Bindgctt [57] ABSTRACT A stap1erhaving a cantilevered gripping hand1e and a slidable loading cartridge.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIED B 3,862,712

SHEEI 1 OF 3 T1 'm wv I FIG./

STAPLER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION During the last few years there hasbeen considerable progress in the design and manufacture of staplingguns, mainly due to the increased popularity of the stapler for use inthe building trades. The state of the art is very well represented bythe patent of LaPointe et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,966, which shows thegeneral construction used a dozen years or so with a swingable loadingcartridge. Various improvements have taken place along the lines shownin the patent of Priest U.S. Pat. No. 3,158,870; the patent of JohnsonU.S. Pat. No. 3,158,868; the patent of Johnson U.S. Pat. No. 3,149,339;and the patent of Johnson U.S. Pat. No. 3,275,212. Although thesestapling guns perform their function adequately, they have a number ofshortcomings. Among other things, they have been expensive tomanufacture and, therefore, have been high priced in the retail market;they are subject to breakage and wear to a considerble extent. Some ofthe operations become tiresome when carried on for great lengths of timebecause of the particular handle arrangement. These and otherdifficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviatedin a novel manner by the present invention.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a stapler which isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a staplerwhich is relatively easy to manipulate during use.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a stapler whichcan be easily loaded without removing the operating hand from thegripping handle.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a staplerwhich can be loaded with a minimum of danger of injury.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a stapler having ahammer and lifter mechanism which are simple in construction, relativelyfool-proof in opera-.

tion, and which are inexpensive to make.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide astapler having a gripping handle and a latch for the loading magazinerelated in such a way that the magazine can be easily opened while onehand is gripping the grip handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention consists of a staplerhaving a main housing with a grip handle and an operating handle andhaving an elongated compartment underlying the main body and extendingin the same general direction'as the grip handle. A staple track isslidable in and out of an opening in the compartment and has a pusherslidably mounted on the track. A latch is mounted in the staple trackadjacent the opening in the compartment, the latch normally preventingthe track from leaving the compartment.

More specifically, the grip handle is spaced and parallel to the saidcompartment, the grip handle is of cantilever construction with its freeend overlying the said latch, and the operating handle extends away fromthe main housing on the opposite side of the grip handle from thecompartment. A lifter is pivotally mounted on the operating handle andhas a hook at its lower end i that engages a downwardly-directedhorizontal surface of a spring-loaded staple hammer to pull it upwardlyagainst the spring. A rod'extends across the housing beside the path ofthe hammer and a cam surface is formed on the upper edge of the hook andlocated to engage the rod at a predetermined point in the upwardmovement of the hammer to rotate the lifter away from the hammer andrelease the hook from the hammer so that the hammer may move downwardly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention,however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structuralforms. as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stapler embodying the principleof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the stapler taken on the lineII-II of FIG. 3,

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the stapler taken on the lineIIIlIl of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a hammer used in the stapler,and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line V-V of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. I,wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, thestapler, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, has a mainhousing 11 from which extend a grip handle I2 and an operating handle13. An elongated staple storage compartment l4 underlies the main body11 and extends in the same general direction as the grip handle 12. Alatch 15 is associated with the compartment 14 and underlies the freeend of the grip handle 12.

The main body 11 is provided with a loop 16 which is capable ofcooperating with a notch 17 formed in the operating handle 13 to lockthe operating handle when the stapler is not being used. The grip handle12 is spaced from and parallel to the storage compartment 14. The handleis of cantilever construction with its free end overlying the latch 15.The operating handle 13 extends away from the main housing 11 on theopposite side of the grip handle 12 from the compartment 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, which show the details ofconstruction, the staple track 18 is slidable in and out of thecompartment 14 through an opening at the right-hand side (FIG. 2). As isevident in FIG. 3, the track 18 is U-shaped in cross section, openingupwardly. Straddling the track and slidable along it, is a pusher 19which is of U-shaped cross section also but opening downwardly.Extending downwardly from the pusher 19 is a tongue 21 which liesbetween the sidewalls ofthe track 18 and is engaged by a coil spring 22which pushes it to the left in FIG. 2. The latch 15 is mounted in theright-hand end of the staple track 18 adjacent the opening in thecompartment 14 and normally serves to prevent the track from leaving thecompartment.

The compartment 14 is a tube of substantially square cross section and,therefore, is provided with a top wall 23, a bottom wall 24, and sidewalls 25 and 26 formed by welding together two nesting U-shaped channelsas is evident in FIG. 3. The latch 15 is pivotally mounted in the track18 by means of a horizontal transverse pivot pin 27 which extendsthrough the side walls of the track 18 with its ends residing invertically-elongated slots 28 formed therein. The latch has a verticalfinger 29 with a cam-shaped leading edge; the finger normally rests in aslot 31 formed in the top wall 23 of the compartment. A spring 32extends between the latch and the bottom wall of the track toresiliently bias the latch in the upward direction, as viewed in FIG. 2and to maintain the finger pressed upwardly into the slot. An actuatingarm 33 having a curved serrated upper surface, extends from the latch 15and overlies the tin ger 29 and the slot 31. The latch 15 is of the samethickness as the distance between sidewalls of the track 18 so that itslides smoothly between the side walls. A downwardly-directed squareslot 34 if formed in the latch; the side surfaces of this slot combinewith the inner surfaces of the side walls of the track 18 to form acompartment in which the coil spring 32 is supported and confined.

As has been stated, the track 18 is of U-shaped cross section; it isimportant that the distance between the sides of the channel be exactlydimensioned in order that the staples stored thereon and slidable alongit will fit properly. For that purpose the track is provided with crossbraces 35 and 36, one adjacent each end. The cross brace 35 at theleft-hand end is provided with a central circular aperture in whichrests one end of a spring retaining rod 37. The cross brace 36 at theother end receives the other end of the rod.,The spring 22 surrounds therod and extends between the cross brace 36 at the right-hand end and thetongue 21 on the slide 19 on the other hand. In FIG. 2 the situation isillustrated when there are no staples on the track 18, so that the slide19 is pressed far to the left with the tongue 21 resting against thecross brace 35. At its right-hand end the rod 37 extends to the rightslightly beyond the cross brace 36. Extending from the left side of thelatch 15 is a finger 38, having an upper horizontal surface whichpresses against the underside of the projecting ends of the rod 37. Thislimits the upward travel of the latch under the impetus of the spring32. The rod 37 is suitably staked to keep it from sliding from the twocross braces. The cross braces 35 and 36 are of generally squareconformation and are held in place by laterallyextending tabs 65 whichreside in suitable perforations in the walls of the track 18. The sidesof the braces which engage the inner surfaces of the walls of the trackare very accurately formed to be parallel and spaced exactly to act asgages to maintain and cause the track to be exactly the right width toreceive a supply of staples. When this construction is used, it is notnecessary to have an inspector measure each of the tracks before it isincorporated into the stapler.

A staple hammer 39 mounted to be slidable vertically in the main housing11 in the vertical chamber 41 provided therefor. The top of the chamberis closed by a cap 42 and a coil spring 43 whose lower end resides in abore 44 in the top of the hammer. The operating handle 13 is pivotallymounted in the main housing 11 by means of a hinge pin 45 and its innerend is connected by a pivot pin 46 to the upper end of a lifter 47. Thelifter has a hook 48 at its lower end which engages a recess 49 in theside of the hammer 39. A torque spring 51 serves to maintain the lifter47 pressed toward the recess 49 and at the same time maintains theoperating handle 13 biased toward its upper position. The lifter 47 isprovided adjacent the hook 48 with an inclined cam surface 52 whichengages on occasion with a hori- 4 zontal transverse pin 53 extendingacross the main housing. 1

The operating handle 13 is provided with an integral finger 54 whichengages a portion of the cap 42 when the operating handle is in itsupper position. Lying in the chamber 41 of the main body between thebottom of the hammer 39 and the top of the compartment 14, is a rubberblock 55 which is held in place by indentations 56 and 57 formed in thesides of the main housing.

As is evident in FIG. 4, the hammer 39 is formed of two pieces 58 and 59of sintered powdered metal, the pieces being joined along a verticallongitudinal split or separating plane 61 with a key 62 formed on thepiece 59 which fits tightly into a groove 63 formed on the piece 58. Thelifter 47 is also formed of sintered powdered metal.

The operation of the apparatus will now be readily understood in view ofthe above description. When the stapler has been loaded with staples,the operator grasps the cantilevered grip handle 12 in his fingers withthe operating handle 13 in the palm of his hand. In, order to drive astaple, the operating handle 13 is pressed downwardly toward the griphandle 12. The action of the operating handle 13 moving downwardlytoward the grip handle 12, causes the lifter 47 to be moved vertically,thus pulling the hammer 39 upwardly against the pressure of the spring43. In its upward movement, when the handle 13 has moved approximately24 /2, the cam surface 52 engages the pin 53 and further movement causesthe cam surface to slide along the pin and to draw the hook 48 out ofthe recess 49 in the hammer. When the hook leaves the recess 49, thehammer is free to move downwardly again under the energy stored in thespring 43 and to drive a staple plate 64 downwardly, thus driving astaple out of the apparatus.

When it is desired to load additional staples in the stapler, theoperator presses the latch 15. This draws the finger 29 downwardly outof the recess 31 against the pressure of the spring 32. The track 18 isthen free to be moved to the right in FIG. 2. When the track is free ofthe compartment 14, it may be provided with a number of staples. Thestaples are placed straddling the track 18 with the pusher 19 carried tothe right against the pressure of the spring 22. The cartridge is thenreturned to the compartment 14 and the latch slides into place again.The track 18 is locked in place and its new supply of staples are heldin place, the staples being pushed to the left toward driving positionby the slide 19 and the spring 22.

It can be seen that the present construction provides a number ofadvantages. Having the latch 15 located under the grip handle 12 makesit easy to release the track for loading without the operator removinghis hand from the grip handle 12. Having the grip handle 12 cantileveredmeans ready access is available to the apparatus and the hand is free tomove toward and away from the grip handle without difficulty. The use ofsintered powdered metal in the hammer 39 represents a large saving incost of manufacture and this is true also of making the lifter 47 thesame way. Use of the cross braces 35 and 36 to gage the width of thetrack 18 represents a saving in manufacturing cost, particularly in thelabor cost, which was necessary in the past to gage each of the tracksbefore they were incorporated in a stapler.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form andconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to theexact form herein shown and described. but it is desired to include allsuch as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new anddesired to secure by Letters Patent We claim:

1. A stapler, comprising a. a main housing having a grip handle and anoperating handle,

b. an elongated compartment underlying the main body and extending inthe same general direction as the grip handle,

c. a staple track slidable in and out of an opening in the compartmentand having a pusher slidably mounted on the track, the staple trackbeing channel shaped and having a cross brace located adjacent each end,each brach having a central aperture,

d. a spring-retaining rod extending lengthwise of the track through theapertures,

e. a coil spring carried on the rod with one end engaging a cross braceand the other end connected to the staple pusher, and

f. a latch mounted in the staple track adjacent the opening in thecompartment, the latch normally preventing the track from leaving thecompartment, the latch having a horizontal lug that locks under theadjacent end of the rod.

2. A stapler as recited in claim 1, wherein the stapler track isU-shaped channel, wherein the cross braces fit tightly between thesides, and wherein the braces and sides are interlocked by legs on thebraces and apertures on the sides.

3. A stapler as recited in claim I, wherein the compartment has top,bottom, and side walls, wherein the latch is pivotally mounted in thetrack by means of a hinge pin extending transversely therethrough withits ends resting in vertically-elongated openings in the side walls ofthe compartment, wherein the latch has a vertical finger substantiallyspaced from the pivot pin and normally resting in an aperture in the topwall of the compartment, wherein a spring extends between the stapletrack and the latch to bias the finger into engagement with the top wallof the compartment, and wherein an actuating arm extends from the latchand overlies the finger.

4. A stapler as recited in claim 3, wherein the arm has serrated curvedupper surface underlying the grip handie.

5. A stapler as recited in claim 1, wherein the grip handle is spacedand parallel to the said compartment,

wherein the grip handle is of cantilever construction with its free endoverlying the said latch, and wherein the operating handle extends awayfrom the main housing on the opposite side of the grip handle from thecompartment.

1. A stapler, comprising a. a main housing having a grip handle and anoperating handle, b. an elongated compartment underlying the main bodyand extending in the same general direction as the grip handle, c. astaple track slidable in and out of an opening in the compartment andhaving a pusher slidably mounted on the track, the staple track beingchannel shaped and having a cross brace located adjacent each end, eachbrach having a central aperture, d. a spring-retaining rod extendinglengthwise of the track through the apertures, e. a coil spring carriedon the rod with one end engaging a cross brace and the other endconnected to the staple pusher, and f. a latch mounted in the stapletrack adjacent the opening in the compartment, the latch normallypreventing the track from leaving the compartment, the latch having ahorizontal lug that locks under the adjacent end of the rod.
 2. Astapler as recited in claim 1, wherein the stapler track is U-shapedchannel, wherein the cross braces fit tightly between the sides, andwherein the braces and sides are interlocked by legs on the braces andapertures on the sides.
 3. A stapler as recited in claim 1, wherein thecompartment has top, bottom, and side walls, wherein the latch ispivotally mounted in thE track by means of a hinge pin extendingtransversely therethrough with its ends resting in vertically-elongatedopenings in the side walls of the compartment, wherein the latch has avertical finger substantially spaced from the pivot pin and normallyresting in an aperture in the top wall of the compartment, wherein aspring extends between the staple track and the latch to bias the fingerinto engagement with the top wall of the compartment, and wherein anactuating arm extends from the latch and overlies the finger.
 4. Astapler as recited in claim 3, wherein the arm has serrated curved uppersurface underlying the grip handle.
 5. A stapler as recited in claim 1,wherein the grip handle is spaced and parallel to the said compartment,wherein the grip handle is of cantilever construction with its free endoverlying the said latch, and wherein the operating handle extends awayfrom the main housing on the opposite side of the grip handle from thecompartment.